# Chicago Bears: Soldier Field Game Day Guide

> Prices, parking, seating and transit for NFL games at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. This guide covers the 2026 NFL Season, last updated 2026-09-01. See Provenance for which figures were independently verified.

Source: https://visityourteam.com/nfl/bears
League: NFL | Division: NFC North
Data source: Visit Your Team research, Chicago Bears official site, chicagobears.com

## Venue

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Name | Soldier Field |
| Location | Chicago, IL |
| Capacity | 61,500 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Roof | Open Air |
| Opened | 1924 |
| Coordinates | 41.8623, -87.6167 |
| Official site | https://www.soldierfield.com |

## Game Day Cost

Cheapest realistic single-person game day at Soldier Field: **$97** ($60 ticket + $25 parking + $7 food + $5 drink).

| Category | Lowest price |
| --- | --- |
| Ticket | $60 |
| Parking | $25 |
| Food item | $7 |
| Drink | $5 |

### Ticket tiers

| Tier | Price | Basis | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Upper Deck (400-Level) | $60 | secondary-market median | Highest seats with a panoramic view of the field and Lake Michigan skyline |
| End Zone (South) | $120 | secondary-market median | Behind the south end zone, close to touchdown celebrations |
| Lower Sideline (100-Level) | $200 | secondary-market median | Prime sideline seating near the action on the lower bowl |
| Club Level | $350 | secondary-market median | Premium mid-level seats with indoor lounge access and upscale food options |
| Field-Level Suites | $600 | secondary-market median | Closest seats to the field with VIP amenities and in-seat service |

### Concession prices

| Item | Category | Price |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mordy's Hot Dog | Classic | $11 |
| '85 Pastrami Dog | Regional | $14 |
| The Butkus Burger | Classic | $17 |
| Club Dub Hot Pastrami | Regional | $16.50 |
| Polish Sausage | Regional | $10 |
| Water | Non-Alcoholic | $6.75 |
| Italian Beef Sandwich | Regional | $14 |
| Italian Beef & Sausage Pizza | Regional | not published |
| Bear Claw Pretzel | Snacks | not published |
| Bear Paw Donut | Snacks | not published |
| The Odunze Dog | Regional | not published |
| Carne Asada Waffle Fries | Regional | not published |
| Bear Claw Cookie | Snacks | not published |
| Brisket Nachos | Classic | not published |
| Brisket Mac and Cheese | Classic | not published |
| Crispy Chicken Sandwich | Classic | not published |
| GG's Chicken Tenders | Classic | not published |
| Tavern Burger | Classic | not published |
| Pardon My Cheesesteak | Classic | not published |
| Suhey Andouille | Regional | not published |
| Molly's Mac and Cheese | Classic | not published |
| Pigs in a Blanket (Vienna Beef) | Snacks | not published |
| Pork Chopp'd Sandwich | Regional | not published |
| Miller Lite | Beer | not published |
| Cold Time (Revolution Brewing) | Beer | not published |

## Parking

Soldier Field offers three tiers of on-site parking ($35-55) plus McCormick Place lots with free shuttle service ($25). Prices vary by event - high-demand games charge a premium. All lots bookable at soldierfieldparking.com. CTA bus routes (#146, #130) and Metra commuter rail serve the Museum Campus area.

| Lot | Price | Distance | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| North Garage | $55 | 0.1 miles | Multi-level garage closest to Soldier Field. Highest price but shortest walk. Prepurchase recommended. |
| Waldron Deck | $45 | 0.2 miles | Covered deck parking south of the stadium near the lakefront. Good balance of price and proximity. |
| South Parking Lot | $35 | 0.3 miles | Surface lot south of the stadium. Open-air with tailgating atmosphere. |
| McCormick Place Lots B & E (Shuttle) | $25 | 1.0 miles + shuttle | Free shuttle service to Soldier Field for Bears games and select events. Budget option with guaranteed transportation. |

### Getting here without a car

Not parking. These are transit fares, walks and drop-off points.

| Option | Cost | Distance | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| CTA (No Car Needed) | $0 | 0.5-0.8 miles | Multiple CTA bus routes serve Museum Campus/Soldier Field area. #146 Inner Drive/Michigan Express and #130 Museum Campus are best for game days. Metra from suburbs to downtown + CTA bus. |

### Parking tips

- Pre-purchase parking through the Bears app or SpotHero to guarantee a spot, museum campus lots sell out.
- CTA buses and Metra trains drop you within walking distance. Skip the parking hassle entirely.
- Lake Shore Drive gets extremely congested 2 hours before kickoff. Use I-55 or side streets as alternatives.
- Post-game: walk north to Grant Park or the Loop to avoid the worst of the museum campus traffic.
- Handicap parking is available in all official lots with a valid placard.
- Consider parking in the Loop or South Loop and walking. It's often faster than sitting in lakefront traffic.


## Seating

Soldier Field defines United Club access more precisely than any venue in this data, and the precision cuts both ways. Sections 202-216 and 301-317 carry it outright. Beyond those, only the Sideline Club — sections 103-105 and 113-115, ROW A ONLY — and the Touchdown Club — sections 119-126, ROW 1 ONLY — qualify. Row B does not. The club itself is three levels on the east side, climate-controlled, and it opens two hours before kickoff and stays open roughly five hours after the start, which at an open-air stadium on the Chicago lakefront is the real product.

| Section | Price range | View | Pros | Cons |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Field-Level Suites | $450 - $1,500+ | Suites on the east side, wrapping the north and south ends. | Four parking passes come with a suite package; Interior theatre seating in a climate-controlled space; Packages sized 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, 32 and 40, so party size is genuinely flexible | The most expensive product in the stadium; 131 suites, all on the east side |
| Sideline Club (Sections 103-105 & 113-115, Row A) | $500 - $1,300+ | Row A of sections 103-105 and 113-115 — the front row of the lower sideline. | A front-row view of the action with every United Club benefit; The closest sideline seats in the stadium | ROW A ONLY. Row B in the same section carries no club access at all; Six sections, one row each — the scarcest ticket here |
| Touchdown Club (Sections 119-126, Row 1) | $400 - $1,100+ | Row 1 of the south end zone, sections 119-126. | Front-row end zone with full United Club benefits; Eight sections rather than six, so slightly less scarce than the Sideline Club | ROW 1 ONLY — row 2 gets nothing; End zone, so route depth is hard to judge |
| United Club (Sections 202-216, 301-317) | $260 - $700+ | Three levels on the east side of the stadium, with sightlines from every seat. | Climate-controlled indoor lounge, which on the Chicago lakefront in December is the whole point; Opens two hours before kickoff and stays open about five hours after the start; Sections 202-216 and 301-317 carry access outright, no row restriction | East side only; The lounge is much of what the price buys |
| Miller Lite Midway Club | $200 - $550+ | A climate-controlled hospitality space on the WEST side of the Mezzanine Concourse, behind sections 136 and 138. | Four full-service bars, specialty food stations and dedicated restrooms; The west-side counterpart to the east-side United Club; Climate-controlled, with an audio-visual system keeping the game in view | A hospitality space behind the seats rather than a sightline; West side only |
| Club Level | $260 - $700+ | The club ring, raised over the lower bowl with the whole formation in frame. | Elevated enough to read the play as a shape; Club amenities in a stadium where indoor space is scarce | Only the listed sections carry United Club access — a club-priced seat outside them does not |
| Lower Sideline (100-Level) | $150 - $380 |  | The best ordinary sightline in the stadium; Close enough to follow the play without the boards | Only Row A of sections 103-105 and 113-115 carries club access; Open-air on the lakefront, with no cover |
| End Zone (South) | $90 - $240 | The south end zone, looking the length of the field. | Lower-level proximity at well under sideline money; Row 1 of sections 119-126 is the Touchdown Club | End-on, so route depth is hard to judge; Rows beyond the first carry no club access |
| Upper Deck (400-Level) | $45 - $140 | The top ring, high above the field with Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline beyond. | The lake and skyline view that only the top deck gets | The most exposed seats at an open-air stadium on the lakefront; Steep, and a long way from the field |

Official seat map: https://www.soldierfield.com/events/seating-charts

## Getting There

Soldier Field sits on Chicago's lakefront Museum Campus with no rail station of its own, so every train approach ends at Roosevelt Station and finishes by bus or on foot. That one transfer is the whole trick: three CTA lines converge there, a game-day-only express bus runs from it, and the walk east through Museum Campus is a real option rather than a fallback. Driving means Lake Shore Drive and the 18th Street exit, which backs up badly on game days.

**Driving.** From the north: Lake Shore Drive south to the 18th Street exit, then follow signs to Soldier Field. From the south: I-55 to Lake Shore Drive north, exit at 18th Street. From the west: I-290 east to I-90/94, then exit at 18th Street. Lake Shore Drive backs up two to three hours before kickoff, and 45 to 60 minutes from the suburbs is realistic on a game day.

**Public transit.** The CTA Red, Orange and Green Lines all stop at Roosevelt Station, between State Street and Wabash Avenue — that is the interchange every rail approach uses. From there, transfer to the #146 Inner Lake Shore/Michigan Express bus, or walk east on Roosevelt Road through Museum Campus. On Bears game days only, the #128 Soldier Field Express also runs. Pace runs express buses for Bears home games with free parking at the departure points, returning 30 minutes after the final whistle from the same spot they drop you.

**Rideshare.** Uber and Lyft serve the Museum Campus area. Designated pickup/dropoff zones near the stadium. From Loop/River North hotels, expect $10-15. Post-game surge is moderate - walk toward Museum Campus bus turnaround for faster pickup.

**Walking.** About a mile east from Roosevelt Station along Roosevelt Road and through Museum Campus, roughly 20 minutes on foot.

### Transit options

| Option | Price | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| CTA Bus (Route 146) | $2.25 | Direct bus route from downtown to Museum Campus/Soldier Field on game days |
| Metra Electric to Museum Campus/11th St | $3.75 | Metra commuter rail with a stop right at the museum campus |
| CTA Green/Orange/Red Line + Walk | $2.50 | Take CTA L trains to Roosevelt and walk ~15 minutes to the stadium |
| Rideshare (from Loop) | $15 | Uber/Lyft from downtown Chicago, ~10 minute ride to Soldier Field |
| Water Taxi | $36 | Seasonal water taxi from Michigan Avenue to the museum campus dock |

## Tailgating

Tailgating is permitted in every stadium-controlled lot on Museum Campus, and the venue calls it a long-standing tradition — but Soldier Field's rules are stricter than the reputation suggests. No tents of any kind are permitted, anywhere. Fire pits and open fires are banned in all lots, deep fryers and oil-based cooking with them, and no open flame at all is allowed inside the enclosed North Garage or the lower Waldron Garage. Propane tanks are capped at 19 pounds. Tailgating stops during the game, and after night games it does not resume.

### Rules

- Tailgating at Soldier Field is permitted within all stadium-controlled parking lots on Museum Campus.
- No tents of any kind are permitted.
- Fire pits and open fires are not allowed in any lot.
- No open flame, grilling or otherwise, is permitted in an enclosed lot area — the North Garage and lower Waldron Garage.
- No open flame, infrared panel or propane heaters of any type are allowed in any lot.
- Deep fryers and any oil-based cooking or frying are prohibited.
- Propane tanks larger than 19 pounds are prohibited.
- Consumption of alcohol is not permitted in the Family Friendly lots.
- All tailgating in stadium-controlled parking lots is prohibited during the game, and after night games.
- Weapons, fireworks, drones, tethered blimps, balloons and other oversized inflatables are prohibited, as is overnight parking.
- An aisle clear of tailgate equipment must be maintained to accommodate emergency vehicles.


### Best areas

| Area | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Stadium-controlled lots on Museum Campus | The open-air lots around the stadium on Museum Campus, where tailgating is permitted and where grilling is possible — unlike the enclosed structures. Aisles have to stay clear of equipment so emergency vehicles can pass. |
| North Garage and lower Waldron Garage | The two enclosed garages on the campus. Tailgating is allowed in both, but no open flame of any kind is — no grilling, no infrared panels, no propane heaters — because a garage is an enclosed lot area. The trade here is shelter over cooking. |
| Family Friendly lots | Designated lots on the same campus where alcohol consumption is not permitted. Worth knowing before you park rather than after. |
| Adler Lot | The lot by the Adler Planetarium end of Museum Campus, which hosts the stadium's private and hospitality tailgate options rather than general open tailgating. |

## Food & Drink

Soldier Field's concession scene reflects Chicago's legendary food culture. You'll find the city's iconic dishes, Italian beef sandwiches (get it dipped), Chicago-style hot dogs (no ketchup), Polish sausage, and deep dish pizza slices. The stadium has partnered with local restaurants to bring authentic Chicago flavors inside the concourse. Outside the stadium, Chicago's South Loop neighborhood is packed with restaurants and bars for pre-game and post-game dining.

### Nearby restaurants

| Name | Cuisine | Price range | Rating |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Haidilao HotPot Chicago Inc | Restaurant | $$$ | 4.7 |
| Qing Xiang Yuan Dumplings | Dumpling Restaurant | $$ | 4.6 |
| Tilly Bagel Shop | Bagel Shop | $$ | 4.6 |
| Lou Malnati's Pizzeria | Pizza Restaurant | $$ | 4.5 |
| Reggies Chicago | Bar & Grill | $ | 4.5 |
| Eleven City Diner | Diner | $$ | 4.5 |
| The Chicago Firehouse Restaurant | Steak House | $$$ | 4.5 |
| Giordano's | Pizza Restaurant | $$ | 4.4 |

## Game Day Timeline

Soldier Field sits on Chicago's lakefront museum campus, surrounded by the Field Museum, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium, one of the most scenic stadium settings in the NFL. The Bears have called this home since 1971, and the Monsters of the Midway tradition runs deep in the city's blue-collar identity. Chicago's public transit makes getting to the game easy, and the lakefront tailgating scene is unique among NFL stadiums. Expect passionate, knowledgeable fans who live and breathe Bears football.

| Time | What happens | Detail |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 4 hours before | Parking Lots Open | South Lot and museum campus parking open. Tailgaters start setting up grills and claiming spots along the lakefront. |
| 3 hours before | Tailgate Scene Builds | The South Lot and surrounding areas fill up with grills, music, and bags games. Walk the lakefront and soak in the atmosphere. |
| 2 hours before | Gates Open | Stadium gates open. Head in early to explore the concourses, grab an Italian beef, and watch warmups from the lower bowl. |
| 90 minutes before | Player Warmups | Players take the field for warmups. Great photo opportunities from the end zone sections. |
| 30 minutes before | Find Your Seats | Get settled with food and drinks. The pregame video and player introductions are worth being in your seat for. |
| Kickoff | Game Time | Bear Down, Chicago Bears. Join 61,500 fans in one of the NFL's most storied venues with the Chicago skyline as your backdrop. |
| Post-game | Exit Strategy | Walk north through Grant Park to reach CTA and Metra stations. Museum campus clears in 30-45 minutes. Many fans head to nearby South Loop bars. |

## Lodging

| Hotel | Per night | Distance |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Marriott Marquis Chicago | $180 | 0.6 miles |
| Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Chicago | $180 | 0.7 miles |
| Hilton Chicago | $180 | 0.8 miles |
| The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center | $180 | 1.0 miles |
| Palmer House a Hilton Hotel | $180 | 1.3 miles |

## Typical Weather

| Month | High (F) | Low (F) | Precipitation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| September | 76 | 59 | 2.8 inches |
| October | 63 | 47 | 3.5 inches |
| November | 49 | 35 | 2.4 inches |
| December | 38 | 25 | 1.8 inches |
| January | 33 | 19 | 1.5 inches |

## Verified Venue Policies

### Accessible entry

Every Soldier Field gate is accessible, and the accessible vehicle drop-off and pickup is outside Gate 14.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- Access to the Gate 14 drop-off requires the registered placard holder to be in the vehicle.

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Accessible seating

A guest needing to exchange a mobile ticket for wheelchair-accessible seating must enter through Gate 8.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- A limited number of wheelchairs are available to transport guests to their seats but are not provided for use throughout the game.

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Alcohol sales cutoff

Alcohol sales stop at the end of the third quarter or earlier at stadium management's discretion.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Assistive listening

Assistive-listening devices and pagers are available from the Fan Services booth inside Ticketmaster Plaza at Gate 0.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Bag policy

Clear bags may be no larger than 12 x 6 x 12 inches; one-gallon clear freezer bags and non-clear bags no larger than 4.5 x 6.5 inches are also permitted.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- Medical bags are accepted after inspection, while diapers must be carried in an approved clear bag unless medically necessary.

Source: [Soldier Field Bag Policy](https://www.soldierfield.com/plan-your-visit/bag-policy)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Bag storage

Gameday lockers for prohibited items are available for a $10 credit-card-only rental fee.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- Locker locations are at the Field Museum East Terrace near McFetridge Drive and at the 18th Street turnaround west of DuSable Lake Shore Drive.

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Tickets for children

A child shorter than 32 inches may enter without a ticket after receiving a complimentary lap pass at the Gate 8 Ticket Office.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- The child must be present when the pass is issued, sit on a ticketed guest's lap, and may not occupy a seat; one lap pass is allowed per game ticket.

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Family restrooms

Family and all-gender restrooms are available throughout the general stadium and United Club, and all Soldier Field restrooms have baby-changing stations.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- General locations include Sections 121, 146, 154, 320, 354, 435, 437, and 439.

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### First aid

First-aid stations are inside Gate 17, behind Section 339, and behind Section 304 on the United Club 300 Level, with roving medical teams also available.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- For medical help, contact an usher or security official, text 815-880-1920, or call 312-235-7999.

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Gate opening

Soldier Field gates open two hours before kickoff for Bears games.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Guest services

Fan Services booths are available across the general stadium and at United Club concierge desks.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- For gameday assistance, text the issue and location to 815-880-1920, call 312-235-7999, or contact a security officer, usher, or Fan Services team member.

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Mobile tickets

Bears home games require a mobile ticket in the Bears app, Ticketmaster app, or a phone's mobile wallet; PDFs and screenshots are not accepted.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- Add tickets to the mobile wallet before arrival, and use the Gate 10 ticket office for gameday help.

Source: [Chicago Bears Mobile Ticket Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/tickets/mobile-ticket-guide)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Nursing and lactation

Nursing space is available in the South Courtyard suite, the First Aid office inside Gate 17, Mamava pods inside Gate 25 and behind Section 230, and a United Club family restroom.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- The Mamava pod inside Gate 25 is wheelchair accessible.

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Outside food and drink

Food for personal consumption may enter when its container complies with the NFL bag policy; beverage containers are prohibited.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Parking payments

Parking facilities immediately around Soldier Field require a prepaid pass, and Museum Campus lots do not offer single-game cash parking.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- Parking passes are issued electronically and may be displayed on paper or scanned from a mobile device.

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Prohibited items

Soldier Field prohibits weapons, alcohol, non-compliant bags, beverage containers, coolers, strollers, umbrellas, drones, fireworks, noisemakers, laser pointers, large camera lenses, and other listed items.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- Review the complete official list before leaving home because security may confiscate prohibited items.

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Re-entry

Guests may not exit and re-enter Soldier Field; no re-entry passes are issued.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

Source: [Soldier Field A-Z Guide](https://www.soldierfield.com/stadium-info/a-z-guide)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Sensory services

A sensory bag is available from the Fan Services booth inside Ticketmaster Plaza at Gate 0.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Service animals

Task-trained service animals and animals in training may enter at Gate 8; comfort and emotional-support animals are not permitted.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- Gate 8 also permits exit and re-entry when a service animal needs the relief area.

Source: [Soldier Field A-Z Guide](https://www.soldierfield.com/stadium-info/a-z-guide)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Smoking and vaping

Smoking, vaping, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco are prohibited throughout Soldier Field, with no designated smoking areas inside or outside.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

- Re-entry is prohibited, so guests cannot leave to smoke and return.

Source: [Soldier Field A-Z Guide](https://www.soldierfield.com/stadium-info/a-z-guide)
Checked: 2026-08-29

### Venue payments

Concessions, in-seat vending, and retail transactions are cashless and accept credit cards, debit cards, and supported mobile wallets.

Applies to: Chicago Bears games

Source: [Chicago Bears Gameday A-Z Guide](https://www.chicagobears.com/game-day/az-guide-app)
Checked: 2026-08-29

## Provenance

- Season: 2026 NFL Season
- Last updated: 2026-09-01
- Independently verified: concession menu, game day timeline, getting there, lodging, nearby restaurants, parking guidance, pregame, seating, ticket prices, transit, value menu, venue facts, venue policies, weather
- Recorded but not independently verified: drink prices, food prices, parking prices
- Canonical page: https://visityourteam.com/nfl/bears
- Prices are researched per venue and represent typical published rates, not live market pricing.